WE ARE: 5 women navigating our twenties in search of peace, happiness and love (or not). WE WRITE: about everything and nothing. From the insane to the mundane- you will find different paths taken, lessons learned and lives lived. WE THINK: you’ll enjoy it...Warning: Consumption of these views may leave you enlightened while intoxicated.

SO LONG, FAREWELL...

The View From Here will conclude on Friday, October 1, our third year anniversary. We would like to spend this month thanking all of our readers, followers, haters, visitors, family, friends, and fans for your continued support, encouragement, and comments over these past few years. Thanks y'all!

-The Five Spot

Friday, March 6, 2009

So I was sitting in the big chair getting my hair did when my hairdresser said to this other chick, “there is this woman who keeps calling my man and I wanna pick up the phone sooo bad.” And other chick says, “so what’s stopping you? That’s your estate.” Oh I had to hold in my laughter. So then my hairdresser talks about how she’s been through his phone and seen all these texts from said woman. And on New Year’s, this woman sent her man an “I miss you. I love you text.” And she wanna pick up the phone sooo bad the next time this btich calls late at night/in the wee hours of the morning, you know just to let her know.

So there are several problems with this here scenario, but for the sake of time, let’s deal with the snooping. We’ve all been there ladies, your man leaves to go to the bathroom, the kitchen, take what you know will be a long shower, whatever – and his phone goes off. Repeatedly. And you know deep down that it’s some other chick. Oh to look or not to look? That is the question. So Caption Obvious says don’t look cause once you go looking for something, then you’re definitely going to find something. Anything that can make him seem guilty. Start wondering: Who is this Jennifer chick who keeps texting him? Why does he have pictures of naked chicks in his phone? What type of heffas does he know? And as the image you have of him gets tainted every time your thumb scrolls, you start matching up texts or emails to when y’all met or have been together. It can be a very slippery slope. Which is why Captain Obvious is usually sitting on your shoulder, whispering, “don’t do it girl,” in your ear.

Oh but sitting on the other side is, fcuk Captain Obvious chilling with a sombrero and margarita. Why? Because the temptation to look is great, especially if you know you won’t get caught. But then what do you do with the information you may find? Two wrongs don’t make a right, so you can’t call him on it. And then if you do find something, the mistrust is there, only he should also be mistrusting yo’ ass – he just doesn’t know it. Yet.

I have to say that I am one of the nosiest people ever and yet I have only snooped once. Yeah, my ex left me in his house and I looked through his shit, found some old love letters and whatnot. It was wrong. I know, I know. And I gotta say while eye opening, not very fulfilling. And totally uncalled for. But I wonder what would have happened if I had found something. How would I have reacted?

I know women who have broken up with their significant others because of an email they found or an ambiguous text message. They never gave their reasons to the man. Just ended it. But I wonder that if you had to go through his phone or break his email passcode like you were figuring out a terroist cell, in the first place, then something is definitely wrong with this relationship. And clearly 'trust' is just a word in the dictionary to you.

But how can you trust someone if you don't check to make sure they're ok first? You know make sure they are doing right, and then trust. Because that blind, without a shadow of a doubt trust, is some scary ass shit. When you come to the realization that yo' mama was right that actions do speak louder than words, that you gotta be secure with yourself and let somebody do them, have him go out into the world and be confindent he's gonna come back to you every night, remain faithful, shake the ladies off. Oooo that's heavy. But if and when you get there, it must feel good to be able to close your eyes, dive in and then just let go...

Thursday, March 5, 2009

i'm a pop culture junkie. i talk about yonce like i know her sometimes. i stay updated on the latest celebrity gossip like the next young black professional woman sitting at a desk from 9ish to 5ish with constant internet access. but i think i've had just about enough of...

the chrianna drama.

now rum punch will tell you that when the story first broke i was shocked and amazed. "why c. breezy why" was my first battle cry. i felt like a kid caught in the middle of her parents' divorce...who do i believe, which one do i live with. cause i heart chris brown and rihanna with a passion. i first came to love these two young pop stars during essence fest 08. they headlined for kanye west and when we bought the tickets i was thinking mehhh, me no know if i will like rihanna in person. i ponn'ed the replay and sang along under my umbrella-ella-ella-ella-eh-eh-eh but didn't think she had what it took to perform well on a live stage.

but rihanna brought it. especially when she performed "breaking dishes" my new favorite song by her. and then chris brown hit the stage and his dancing abilities had me screaming like a school girl. twas how my love affair with chrianna began. plus she's a pisces and he has my sister's same birthday. and they so in love. and ya'll know i love love.

but now not so much.

their recent drama round grammy time has been on the tip of everyone's tongue. everybody has an opinion on it. and isn't afriad to share it. publicly. and then retract that opinion 24-48 hours after it's printed. my heart goes out to both of them. and now the felony charges have been handed down. assault and making criminal threats aint no joke.

word is that rihanna isn't going to cooperate. but that never stopped the state of (fill in the blank) from going forward with domestic violence charges before. stay tuned.

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

I voted for him.I gave his ass a chance.Felt like he had a bright future, albeit Republican and all.

But now, I know for sure my ass has been duped! How can a man well over 6 feet 2 inches have no spine at all. His name is truly a misnomer, because Michael Steele ain’t built that tough.

I am still trying to understand why within 24 hours of callin’ “a spade a spade”, Steele reneged and retracted his statement by apologizing to Rush Limbaugh. Steele, I thought you ran the RNC? You claimed the GOP had to widen its tent and become more inclusive rather than exclusive.

During your Maryland senate race, you vowed to make sure minorities got a slice of the economic pie. I was sold! I tend not to be a single-issue voter, but I was for that race. The cacophony of chatter on other state issues didn't matter at that point. You recently told US News & World Report your plans, "to extend the party's outreach to African-Americans and Hispanics and their media outlets on a permanent basis, not just at election time. He wants to better explain the GOP's conservative philosophy of optimism, opportunity, and economic growth to minority voters and "make folks understand that we'll walk that walk with them." Well, why walk backwards, let alone walk at all?

Steele you’re supposed to represent change, even the GOP had to concede the fact that a much needed makeover of the party was in order. You’re supposed to be delivering the change, you’re supposed to be the engineer behind the party’s evolution. You know how many folks I received flack from, for voting for you… I kept tellin’ them we got to give the brotha a chance. We have got to have folks on both sides of the table. Lawd, why are you provin’ folks right.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

So currently I have a song stuck in my head. And while I am able to function, I feel like I might suffer from Turrets Syndrome. These lyrics just pop in and dominate my thoughts or just come oozing out of my mouth when I least expect it. And of course, the songs that get stuck in my head aren’t the hymns that Grandmomma use to hummed as she whipped the family up some biscuits. Nope. The songs that get stuck in my head are the ones that are hot in da streets…ones that no respectable, working, saved, sanctified, I love the Lord person should be singing…let alone knowing, but I, somehow some way keep coming up with funky *beep* *beep* like every single day. Ugh! Ya'll see what I mean? Should I really be thinking about Snoop’s Gin and Juice while trying to write this post?

But in my lifetime, these inappropriate songs have popped in my head at inappropriate times to include the following sit-chew-ations:

Planning meeting with Boss Person: So Amaretto we are really getting ready to drive the business. We want you to play an instrumental role in communicating this mission to the field. What are your thoughts? And my mind goes…Fill another cup up, feeling on your butt what…Blame it on the a a a a a alcohol...

Friend Just Lost their Job: Amaretto, I just got fired for stealing money from the cash register. You know Mookie ain’t making his child support payments. And I just bought a Gucci Bandana. Why should I do? How am I going to pay the rent, and all my money’s spent? And I think…The world is filled with pimps and hoes, we’ll just talk about those I know…

Just a Little Talk with Jesus: Lawd, you’ve been so good to us. Saved us from the punishment of sin. You woke us up this morning. You started us on our way. We even woke up in our right minds. Let the church say Amen. And what do I say? Lollipop. Lollipop. He’s so sweet, I wanna lick the rapper…

And now thanks to Slumdog Millionaire using M.I.A.’s Paper Planes on the soundtrack… All I wanna to do is *bang* *bang* *bang* *bang* *bang* And take your money!Like all the time ya'll!

Not to be stank…but I hope this gets stuck in ya’ll heads too! I blame hip-hop, with it's catchy little hooks and beats. Just perfect enough for a $1.99 ringtone that I ain't even trying to spend my money on. But it is catchy, and it would be kind of cute on my phone...$1.99 isn't that much. All I wanna do is…

About 5 and a Possible

Courvoisier Mondays: Straight from the islands, I am a young lady making her life in the United States. I strive for knowledge, innovation and perfection in this world; though I’m keenly aware no one is perfect…not even me. I enjoy the simple and exquisite things in life. I believe every life has a purpose and I am eager to fulfill mine.

Amaretto Tuesdays: As a twenty-something I’ve got challenges, hopes, fears and debt. Currently “I don’t know” is the perfect response to all questions about when I’ll be married and what I want to do with my life. These are my attempts to make some of life’s sour spots tasty!

Bellini Wednesdays: I am your renaissance woman – have been places, and seen a few things, and yet heard some more. Well, what I can say – I generally have an opinion about everything and you my friend are privy to hear it all.

that's me...back and forth i go down the way of the wicked and the just...rushing through my 20's...full of angst and uncertainty. longing for the past yet meticulously planning out my future and on the daily trying to slow down and enjoy the present. mint julep is sugar, water, mint & bourbon -- sweet, languid, fresh & strong. i'm easily distracted and in need of constant stimulation, painfully detached from reality, dreamy on occasion and oftentimes neglectful and lazy without purposefully meaning to be. so you'll get all of that and then some from me...hurry up and come get some...

Rum Punch Fridays: I work. I church. I date. (sometimes) I hit Happy Hours. I people watch. I talk ish about the people I watch. I write stories, cause I'm trying to find that spot off in the light, that light off in the spot. I randomly quote Outkast lyrics. I fall down. I get back up. I contradict myself. I act a fool. I laugh. I tell a few jokes. I love hard. I live and I learn. I dream in the daytime. And I chronicle it all here. Take a sip and enjoy the freshest place to be on Fridays.